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Hockey

Knights Owen MacDonald knows what is expected now in series with Windsor Spitfires

London Knights Gemel Smith (left) and Owen Macdonald (cct) celebrate after Macdonald's scored in the second period of their hockey game during OHL action in London, Ont. on Friday, March 21, 2014. No penalty was assessed on the play.DEREK RUTTAN/ The London Free Press /QMI AGENCY

Michael McCarron made a major impact on the London Knights' first two playoff wins over Windsor.

Now, if recent history is any indication, it's “Little Mac's” turn.

“We kind of have some fun with it,” Owen MacDonald, the 5-foot-8, 155-pounder joked about the organic nature of his nickname. “On the bench, we get confused sometimes so I go by Little Mac and Big Mac's McCarron (the 6-foot-6, 238-pound Montreal Canadiens' first rounder).

“Dale (head coach Dale Hunter) usually says it.”

The Knights head to enemy territory in Windsor Tuesday after their emotional, fight-filled 6-3 Game 2 win over the Spitfires on Saturday night. There's an easy explanation why London has now won 10 straight first-round playoff games and will pursue a third straight opening sweep.

When the games shifts to the opposition rink and the Knights no longer have last-change luxury, they get contributions from unexpected sources.

A year ago, a fourth line of Remi Elie, Kyle Platzer and Paxton Leroux finished off Saginaw in a hurry. They each scored in a Game 3 road win, then Elie had two goals in Game 4 to finish off the broom job. With all three of them traded this season, it's clear this new edition – MacDonald, rookie sensation Mitch Marner, solid C.J. Yakimowicz (and Tait Seguin, when he's in) – know what's expected right now.

“St. Marys (MacDonald's Junior B club last year) didn't make the playoffs so I practised with the Knights, learned how that fourth line played and I think that really helped me watching that,” the 17-year-old Elora native said. “The fourth line has an important role here and over the past few years, you saw that line and the depth (up front) was pretty key to success going down the playoff stretch.”

No one in London wants to stretch this series with the proud Spits any longer than necessary. All Saturday night proved is there will be increased risk of injury or suspension if more than four games are required.

London can bury Windsor with its depth.

“We want to keep the puck out of our own net, but any time we can chip in on offence, we're a dangerous fourth line and we feel like we can play against any top line,” MacDonald said. “We've shown that over the past month or two. You're not going to score every game – if you can, it's awesome – but it's the playoffs, it's a grind, and we know what we have to do.

“We feel like we have a good alliance.”

MacDonald had a productive, seven-goal second half as a trigger man with the soft-handed Marner, his school mate and friend. There is a guaranteed 30-40 goal season for whoever plays wing with Marner the next two or three years.

“We're together every day and I love playing with him,” MacDonald said. “He's been great all year and I think I've built (some) success over that.”

The line's chemistry has been fostered, in part, by a string of convenient spa sessions.

“There's a hot tub at my house and C.J.'s billet has one, too,” MacDonald said. “We've been using those a lot.”

Now, they have a chance to crank up the heat on the Spitfires and have them bubbling on the brink.